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OPINION

Letters: Rise of progressives should worry us

Las Cruces Sun-News
Published 6:09 p.m. MT Nov. 3, 2017

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Lisa Murphy, the Las Cruces International Airport manager, gives a presentation to the Las Cruces City Council about a resolution amending the land lease rate at the airport Monday, Oct. 16, 2017. The city adopted the resolution, which slashes hangar lease rates from 20 cents per square foot to 10 cents per square foot.(Photo: Josh Bachman/Sun-News)Buy Photo

Rise of progressives should have us worried

Why aren’t we scared for our future?

The most recent article in NM Politics, penned by Heath Haussamen, entitled “Progressives aim for another big win in Las Cruces as Election Day nears,” should have every Democrat, Independent, Republican, or anyone concerned about the future of Las Cruces worried.

It clearly depicts confidence from progressives about a victory next Tuesday. They feel confident that progressive voters will flood the polls to determine our future. Does this not offend anyone who holds a different ideology? The progressive movement claims to take credit for many of the accomplishments that the Las Cruces community accomplished together.

Accomplishments such as better roads, parks, increased access to health care and jobs are not just merely the product of a progressive ideology but a product of bipartisan solutions led by Republican and Democrats alike. Why are we letting progressives take credit for our work?

If you do not have Tuesday, November 7th marked in your calendar, NM Politics’ article should motivate you to do so. We, as Americans, New Mexicans, and Las Crucens have a vote and we have a choice! We have the power to make our voices heard – and should not stand by as progressives sit back happy to collect on our election.

I implore our community, please get involved. Reach out to the candidates, find out what they are about. Visit their Facebook pages – watch the forums. I have seen forums where progressive candidates cannot adequately state our unemployment rate. (See Yvonne Flores – stating our unemployment rate last spring was 5.5% when in it has not been that low since July of 2008- this is who progressives hope will be making decisions).

Please see the balanced reasoning from the Sun-News as to why they endorsed Ceil Levatino (District 6) and Steve Montanez (District 5).

Dolores Connor

Former city councilor and mayor pro-tem

Reject Sun-News elitist endorsement

The Sun-News' slanted coverage and elitist endorsement in our nonpartisan, District Six City Council race summarily dismisses the constituents of District Six by backing a candidate for sporting a specific political philosophy that caters to local commercial interests rather than serving the varied interests of District Six residents and the larger, public interest of the city of Las Cruces. If this doesn't seem just the slightest bit self-serving on the part of the Sun-News, I don't know what would.

I encourage all District Six voters to reject the Sun-News' narrow-minded, ideological approach to our District Six city representation by electing the inclusive, civic-minded Yvonne Flores to our District Six City Council seat. Yvonne has arguably given more time, energy, and attention to District Six constituents the past four weeks than our current incumbent, Ms. Levatino, has the past four years. Be a voter for responsive representation and a brighter future for all Las Crucens. Vote Yvonne Flores on November 7.

Jeff Schwehn

Las Cruces

District residents knows more about Levatino

I am just reading the two letters supporting Ms. Levantino for District 6 City Council. While I agree that you can know someone without living in her district, I do live in District 6 and have emailed Ms. Levantino on at least two occasions and received no response at all. Maybe she just doesn't like me?

I know she did arrange to have a stop sign put up for one of my neighbors. I also know she practically assaulted another, very gentle friend when disagreeing about a political issue.

As for what the person asking what a California lawyer can know about Las Cruces, I say she can know plenty, maybe more than someone who has been here insulated by her own rather narrow viewpoint.